Though Idaho’s drug policy head says there is nothing medicinal or benign about pot, neighboring states have a different take. In this 2015 photo Madrone Grey examines one of her medical marijuana plants in Williams, Ore. Grey and her husband hope to turn marijuana into the family business, producing a concentrate that goes into salves. (AP) Jeff BarnardAP

Though Idaho’s drug policy head says there is nothing medicinal or benign about pot, neighboring states have a different take. In this 2015 photo Madrone Grey examines one of her medical marijuana plants in Williams, Ore. Grey and her husband hope to turn marijuana into the family business, producing a concentrate that goes into salves. (AP) Jeff BarnardAP

Experiment with legalized marijuana isn’t working out

It seems that each time we open a newspaper we are assailed with stories of marijuana’s ability to rescue state economies and its power to heal. But little if any data is included about what actually is happening in states that have legalized the drug. Idahoans deserve to know what outcomes this social experiment has produced so far.

Is it the panacea voters were promised? Is there really no harm being done? The data show:

Youth use of marijuana has increased.

According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, Coloradoans of all age groups (12-17, 18-25, 26 and over) rank first in the nation for past-month marijuana use. Before legalization they ranked fourth, third and seventh, respectively.

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The Colorado Hospital Association reported that marijuana-related emergency room visits increased from 8,197 in 2011 to 18,255 in 2014.

Marijuana remains a Schedule I drug.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration recently refused to downgrade marijuana from its federal status as a Schedule I controlled substance. Chuck Rosenberg, acting DEA administrator, stated, “This decision is based on whether marijuana, as determined by the FDA, is a safe and effective medicine. And it’s not.”

The DEA and Food and Drug Administration’s decision is consistent with major medical organizations including the American Medical Association, which states, “(1) cannabis is a dangerous drug and as such is a public health concern; (2) sale and possession of cannabis should not be legalized.”

Likewise, the American Academy of Pediatrics opposes “medical marijuana” outside the regulatory process of the FDA due to potential harms to children and adolescents.

These facts barely skim the surface of the destructive outcomes of drug legalization.

As Idaho’s chief drug policy authority, I urge Idahoans to diligently study the scientifically valid research being released from numerous reliable data sources. The Idaho Office of Drug Policy’s position is that components of the marijuana plant should be evaluated by the same rigorous, scientific FDA process through which every legal medication in our country is tested.

When our way of life and the health and safety of our communities are jeopardized, we must be vigilant seekers of the truth and not swayed by stories filled with emotion and half-truths.